What does a Teenager have to do during parental divorce? :(?

Question

Hi, I have just found out my parents are getting a divorce, and although this really sucks i need to know wat is going to happen and what i would have to do being 15 years of age. Will i have to go to court if that happens? What will i be ask to say? What else will occur. If anyone knows or has any awnsers to this or anything else that will really help if you can please inform me. Thank you very much

thank you to all that responded, this gives me hope that not everything will be that bad, and maybe it will jsut be emotion that i need to get over, other then anyhting else

Answer 1

I'm sorry to hear about your parents. You will only have to go in front of a judge if there is a custody battle, then the judge would ask you which parent you would rather live with.
If you can't decide then ask your parents to split custody so that you don't have to feel bad about picking one over the other.
If you have friends with divorced parents you may want to talk with them, they'll understand what you're going through.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I recently divorced my husband so I hope I can help you a little.
I live Kentucky and I have 2 teenage boys(18 and 16). Neither of my boys had to go before the court. All either of my boys had to do was to attend a class call Families in Transition. The class was 3hrs. long for 2 consecutive Saturdays.

You may need someone to talk to that can help you understand what is happening to your family. If you need to talk to someone you can talk to a school councilor, your minister, or other trusted adult. If you choose to talk to someone on one side of your family or the other please keep in mind that they might take sides.

Just know that this is the decision of 2 adults and even-though (I hope) both love you, during this hard time the adults may not act like you even exists.

My hopes are with you.

Answer 3

I'm so sorry for the divorce. Going through a parents divorce can be really difficult but in time things are going to get better. The whole thing about going to court is all up to your parents. Thats all I can say. My parents made the decision not to let me be in the court and I think their decision was for the best.

Answer 4

I'm so sorry to hear about your parents. The main thing to do is to keep in contact with both parents and if they bad-mouth each other, ask them not to do it in front of you. Know that none of this is about you - it is about them.

As for court, if there is a custody battle, you may be asked who you want to live with either full or part time. Hopefully, you are your parents can work this out ahead of time so you aren't put on the spot.

Good luck. Ask for counseling if you need it. Sometimes it is available through school.

Answer 5

I'm sorry to hear about your parents. I am also a child of divorce. Unless your parents have a custody dispute, they should be able to work something out. Since you are 15, you also have a say in where you want to go. If your parents do have a custody dispute, then yes, you may have to go to court.

Answer 6

Chances are unless your father can't support you or your mother is a blithering idiot (or your dad) the possibilty of your choosing who'd you'd be living with is a distinct possibilty.
Know this though. its not as though there are revolving doors here and you can go...or threaten to go...from one parent to the next just because you aren't happy with the ways things may be going for you. Decide if you must but stay firm and stick to your decision. Its a sign of adulthood and frankly my boy...its sadly coming alittle too early for you but it'll give you insight into tough decision making down the road in life.

Good luck kid and sorry for the lousy news.